Gleanings – Infinitely More Than We Can Imagine
Ephesians 3:14-21
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever.
As I noted yesterday and note with some frequency, if one surveys the American church scene, he could easily despair. Insiders know that 50% of America’s 350,000 congregations are expected to close by 2020. Scandals emerge with some regularity. Things are not going all that well.
When the times are depressing, it is enough to remember our potential. The potential is readily accessible in the soaring rhetoric of the Apostle Paul. “Able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” I prefer the NIV when it translates the same as “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”
I may not have a great imagination, experience having dulled it a bit, but I can still imagine a lot. I can imagine a church where the quality of our lives infects even the most ardent detractor. I can imagine a church where relationships are never subordinated to programs, attendance or building campaigns. I can imagine a church where the name of Jesus is always spoken more often than the name of the pastor. That really is a lot to ask or imagine. And God can do infinitely more than we can imagine through us as a body. More than ALL that WE imagine! Add your dreams to mine. The potential is unparalleled. This eternal truth places a fleeting reality in perspective.
Hope restored. Thanks Paul. Now come Lord Jesus and make it so.